Work First 101 – Initial Screening and Assessment

IV. CONDUCTING THE SCREENING/ASSESSMENT INTERVIEW

A. At the initial screening/assessment, collect information from the following broad categories. This information will determine what level of assistance and/or referrals are most appropriate for the family.

• Purpose Of Visit: To determine the circumstances that have brought a family to your agency.
• Family Information: To identify the members of the family including the age, social security number, educational level, circumstances, and strengths/needs of each family member. This should also include the family's address and, if applicable, their telephone number.
• Work History: To determine if the adult caretaker is employed, looking for work, or between jobs.
• Family Resources: To identify what a family has done to support themselves to date and what other resources/barriers may exist beyond their household.

Counties may use their own intake/information forms to gather basic information from families. It is recommended that "matches" in the Income Eligibility Verification System (IEVS) (See Work First Manual Section 140.) be completed before the interview to help guide discussion of a family's income and/or resources to avoid or explain discrepancies. Refer to the Work First Appendices for on-line verification instructions.

B. Outline

The following is a suggested outline for your interview. As was stated earlier, your conversation should be free-flowing and reflect the responses given by a family. The interview questions suggested below could be included on a form to be completed by the family prior to the intake interview, and/or they can be discussed verbally during the interview.

1. Purpose of Visit:

• What has happened to bring your family here today?
• What is your family's most urgent need at this time?
• What ideas do you have to keep this situation from recurring or becoming long-term?
• How does this situation affect your family?
• What are you currently doing to remedy this situation?

2. Family Information:

• Tell me about your family.
• Tell me about extended family members who live nearby.
• Which family members work or go to school?
• What are some things that your family needs or that you need for your family?

3. Work History:

• (Counties are encouraged to have prospective applicants complete a work history form similar to a job application identifying work history, job skills, likes/dislikes, and reasons for leaving jobs.)
• Are you or any members of your family employed?
• Tell me about your job.
• Who looks after your children while you are working? What is your backup child care plan?
• How do you get to work or look for work?
• What types of jobs have you had?
• Describe your job duties.
• Why did you leave that job?
• How did you get along with co-workers, supervisors?
• When did you last apply for a job?
• Where have you applied for a job?
• What type of job are you looking for?
• Do you have a high school diploma or GED?
• If not, tell me about why you dropped out of school. Have you ever tried to get a GED?
• What kind of formal training have you completed (e.g. computer software training, carpentry, electrician, nurse assistant)?

4. Family Resources:

• How have you been supporting your family?
• What kind of support do you receive from the children's father or grandparents?
• Tell me about the resources and opportunities in your neighborhood/community.
• Do you have a valid driver's license?
• If not, why not? What do you need to do to get your license?
• Do you have a car?
• If not, what would it take to get one? Could you get access to a car to use to get to work?

C. Discuss the individual's skills and experience. Encourage a positive perspective, and help the individual brainstorm about employers, friends, or relatives he/she knows who do work that requires the skills and experience he/she has. Encourage registration with the Employment Security Commission (ESC) Job Service.

D. At the conclusion of the screening interview jointly consider with the individual the services listed below in V. and others available in your agency or community. The worker and the individual will jointly decide on referrals and/or applications that are appropriate.

E. Explain that there are various types of help available at the department of social services and in the community. The family may or may not need any ongoing assistance or services from DSS.

• If the family indicates a short-term financial need, discuss the Crisis Intervention Program, Emergency Assistance, and/or county General Assistance, as appropriate.
• If the family needs help finding a job, discuss services available at the Employment Security Commission Job Service or a Job Link Center if there is one in your area. Discuss any other locally available job placement assistance.
• If the family is interested in job-related training, discuss programs available through Workforce Investment Act (WIA), the community college, and any other training programs available.

F. Explain that the above referenced services are available to the general public regardless of Work First eligibility. Encourage the family to visit the Job Service office, the community college, and other appropriate agencies to find out more.

G. Discuss the two levels of eligibility for Work First, one based on income at or below 200% of poverty (at county option) and the other based on the established need standard.

1. Families with income at or below 200% of poverty can (at county option) receive Employment Services and supportive services to support participation in approved activities, including those listed above through other agencies.

2. Families eligible for assistance based on the need standard may qualify for time-limited monthly assistance checks, or they may qualify for benefit diversion.

H. Discuss with the individual any current or future need for medical assistance for any family member. Always determine if any family member has any unpaid medical bills during the three months prior to the current month. Inform the individual that he may be entitled to Medicaid for one or more of the three months prior to the month of application, and if he decides against applying for Work First, he should consider applying for Medicaid if there are any unpaid medical bills.

I. Discuss the Food Stamp Program. Food stamp benefits help low-income families or individuals buy food. Families must meet income, resource, citizenship, and work rules. If you buy and cook your food separately from others living with you, you may be able to apply as a separate household. Eligible households receive benefits to buy food every month.